Today the Prime Minister of the republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, met the European Commissioner for Trade, Peter Mandelson, who was visiting Slovenia during the closing stage of preparations for the EU Presidency. The PM and his guest exchanged views on key issues of trade policy, which the European Union will have to negotiate in the first half of 2008. One of the main challenges will be to conclude negotiations on the liberalisation of international trade, which WTO members initiated in 2001 in Doha, as soon as possible.

(Photo: Bor Slana/Bobo) 

 

The PM and Commissioner agreed that the last EU enlargement wave brought many advantages to the European economy. In addition to the border-free single market, it is of the utmost importance that Europe opens itself to other markets. To this end, the EU has been entering free trade agreements, thereby not only encouraging the competitiveness of the European economy, but contributing to the development of the entire planet.

 

PM Janez Janša and Mr Mandelson also discussed mutual help and support during Slovenia's Presidency, as optimal results can only be achieve through the joint efforts of the European Commission and the presidency of the Council of the EU, both in terms of trade policy and other priorities of the EU agenda.